3 days to go, and it looks like my adopted state, Colorado, will finally be carried by a Democratic Presidential candidate this year. To top it off, we may have 2 Dem Senators to go with our Democratic Governor. In my informal highway poll, I never recall seeing as many Gore or Kerry stickers during the last 2 cycles as Obama stickers this year. And we're not just talking about old hippy mobiles like my 72 Bug - I mean real patriotic American made cars have even been spotted in El Paso County with Obama stickers!
Personally, Judy and I have always been extremely interested and informed politically, but this is the first time we've actually donated money and volunteered, and many others we know say the same thing. I guess the last 8 years has really shown us it is time to step up and do something. Despite the right wing's ridiculous attempts to paint Obama as something other than a true American, he in fact is the epitomy of the American dream; somebody who started with nothing and through education and effort rose to success. Unlike the son of an Admiral who finished 894 out of 899 at the Naval Academy!
I've been particularly dismayed by the right wing attempts to smear Obama in the eyes of the many Low Information Voters who the Right counts on to vote Republican. As for calling him a Muslim, I was so happy to finally see somebody, and Colin Powell no less, go on the record with "and so what if he were?". That is the whole idea of separation of Church and State afterall.
The latest label of Socialist is also worth mentioning, if for no other reason than the irony of it coming from Sarah Palin and John McCain. Palin is the governor of a welfare state which has long received far more federal spending than federal taxes paid (in fact 8 out of the top 10 such states are reliable Republican states; only DC and New Mexico on that list being Democratic leaning). If Palin's husband had his way, and Alaska left the US, exactly how would they pay for their own needs? Meanwhile, McCain just voted for one of the largest ever transfers of wealth, which also happened to be laden with the Pork both McCain and Palin claim to disdain so much.
You know things are getting dire for the Right when our own local hate group, Focus on the Family, releases a "letter from 2012" that paints a post-apocalyptic picture in which, among other things, three justices resign from the Supreme Court, leading to far-left ACLU-oriented judges taking their place on the bench and mandating nationwide gay marriage. The Boy Scouts and Christian schools disperse rather than be forced to admit homosexual scout leaders and refrain from speaking against homosexuality, respectively. The Fairness Doctrine returns, signaling the end of conservative talk radio. Obama nationalizes healthcare, allows rampant pornography, restricts homeschooling, and systematically prosecutes Bush administration officials. The letter goes on to say, “President Obama has been reluctant to send our armed forces into any overseas commitment.”
I for one do want a President who is reluctant to use force. We've had 8 years of the trigger happy "cowboy in chief" so maybe it's time to let an adult have a turn at the wheel.
Regardless of how any of you plan to vote, please do vote if you haven't already.
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5 comments:
H@ll Yeah!!!
to clear up your comments about alaska though, alaska really wouldn't need any federal assistance (due to natural resource revenues - oil + gas). This of course makes the amount that is constantly funneled up here from the federal gov't. even more ridiculous. the good news is that the two people that are the most responsible for this mentality of greed that for years most alaskans have had (ted stevens and don young) are both up for re-election on tuesday, and are both behind in polls. (not to mention that mr. stevens is now a convicted felon).
at any rate, i share your excitment about obama. it must be terribly exciting to live in a state where the tides are turning so drastically as they are in colorado. things don't appear to have swung that far up here in relation to the presidential election but i still think this election has a great chance of kicking off a huge change of direction for both the nation and perhaps even for alaska. exciting times.
Hi Geoff,
Thanks for the comment and good point on the severance tax revenue that Alaska has; I guess I should have said if Alaska seceeded from the US, it would not be able to continue living in the manner in which it has become accustomed! or whatever that phrase is. Here in CO one of the more contentious ballot initiatives involves our severance tax; back in the 70s it was reduced a lot to encourage oil development. Now that we have a shale oil boom going on, the state would like to remove the old incentive and have them pay more of the typical rate of other western states. If nothing else, the increased revenue would help deal with all the infrastructure costs of the increased population growth that has accompanied the oil boom.
- paul
Good comments, Paul. Obama was great today in Pueblo. We waited two hours in the sun but the atmosphere was festive. There were thousands in attendance. Being in the midst of the throng I couldn't estimate the crowd but it was huge. Wes Clark, Ken Salazar, and Michelle Obama set the stage for Obama. We could see him over the crowd about 100 yards in front of us. He gave a 40-minute speech with some new zingers. The best was when he said Cheney has now endorsed McCain. "Dick Cheney said he would be delighted if John McCain were to become president".
President Bush is sitting out the last few days before the election. But earlier today, Dick Cheney came out of his undisclosed location and hit the campaign trail. He said that he is, and I quote, "delighted to support John McCain."
I’d like to congratulate Senator McCain on this endorsement because he really earned it. That endorsement didn’t come easy. Senator McCain had to vote 90 percent of the time with George Bush and Dick Cheney to get it. He served as Washington’s biggest cheerleader for going to war in Iraq, and supports economic policies that are no different from the last eight years. So Senator McCain worked hard to get Dick Cheney’s support.
But here’s my question for you, Colorado: do you think Dick Cheney is delighted to support John McCain because he thinks John McCain’s going to bring change? Do you think John McCain and Dick Cheney have been talking about how to shake things up, and get rid of the lobbyists and the old boys club in Washington?
Another good zinger was when Obama said his kids have a hard time deciding what to be for Halloween. John McCain doesn't have that problem. He can just go as George Bush because they are identical.
I find it humorous when people on one side of the aisle complain about the conduct on the other...but then they turn around and act the same.
The only true change option on the ballot this year or any other is to vote away from the Democrat or Republican party altogether.
Regardless of McCain or Obama, we'll still be in Iraq 2 years from now, and I bet we'll have 2 back to back years of > $1T annual deficit.
We will spend over $500B this year just in interest on the debt.
Well stated Paul. But politics aside it was a great day for everyone. A true example of the American dream. Sad that it did not happen sooner.
At least the nightmare is over with the Bush campaign.
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